Raheem Sterling responds to Bukayo Saka’s Arsenal ‘leaving’ message
Raheem Sterling hasn’t come close to making the impact Arsenal fans would have expected of him this season.
Sterling’s Deadline Day loan move to The Emirates from Chelsea certainly hasn’t gone to plan thus far, with the 30-year-old making 23 appearances in all competitions, with just four Premier League starts.
The England international – who hasn’t come close to adding to his 82 caps, the last of which was won in 2022 – has also netted just one goal since his move to North London, against Bolton in the Carabao Cup.
| Player | Appearances | Starts | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards |
| Raheem Sterling | 23 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
Mikel Arteta’s side returned to Premier League action against Fulham after the international break, but Sterling was consigned to watching among the substitutes for the full 90, as Arsenal recorded a 2-1 win.
While Sterling remained on the bench, another Gunners substitute was brought on midway through the second half, and took just under seven minutes to make a difference after three months out of action.
Bukayo Saka hailed in Raheem Sterling message
Having been on the sidelines since 21 December with a hamstring issue which required surgery, Saka as back in Arsenal’s matchday squad against Fulham; back on the pitch, and very soon back in the goals.
It took the 23-year-old just six minutes and 36 seconds to find the net from Gabriel Martinelli’s pass, providing the ultimate high point of a match which saw Gabriel Magalhaes withdrawn injured early on.
Having returned to the fold in scoring form for the Gunners, Saka took to Instagram (1 April), leaving a message for Arsenal fans which stated this his goal was: “…like we never left – Thank you.”
Sterling responded with a message of his own on the site, sharing a story which featured Saka’s post as well as two emojis; one for applause, and the other for fire.
Sterling set for inevitable Arsenal exit
With a solitary goal, just 10 starts and a lack of any real impact in red, especially compared to the instant impact made by Saka on his return, it appears certain that Sterling will return to Chelsea at season’s end.
The Gunners need to be aiming much higher this summer, with Football Insider revealing that Wolves star Matheus Cunha is on Arteta’s radar, having notched over 20 goal contributions more than Sterling.
Arsenal fans are already at the end of their tethers when it comes to the prospect of Sterling staying at The Emirates beyond this season, and it’s unclear where the four-time Premier League winner’s career goes from here.